Footy stars to social media

Footy stars to social media - The West Australian

Newborn babies, engagements, poolside cocktails in Hollywood and karaoke in Thailand - AFL footballers cram a lot in to their precious few weeks off.

Social media have given an insight into the off-season adventures of AFL stars making up for lost time with loved ones, undergoing an off-season operation or joining teammates for a well deserved overseas holiday.

Candid snapshots on Twitter show West Coast Eagles including Nic Naitanui, Josh Hill, Adam Selwood and Chris Masten partying in Thailand, while in the US, their soon-to-be teammate Sharrod Wellingham sipped on a mojito at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.

Wellingham and fellow WA footballer and flatmate Buddy Franklin clowned in New York, which was also the destination of choice for Eagles player Mitch Brown and his netball star girlfriend Shae Bolton.

The iconic city formed the backdrop for Brown's proposal to his 23-year-old girlfriend, whom he met at the Botanic pub in Innaloo several years ago.

Bolton broke the news on Twitter, posting a photograph of the couple - and her engagement ring - with the caption: "This was the happiest moment of my life I love you @mitchbrownie."

Minutes later she wrote: "Thank you for everyone's beautiful messages. I cannot stop smiling! X"

News also broke yesterday that Brownlow medallist Jimmy Bartel had become engaged to his girlfriend of four years Nadia Coppolino while in Mexico.

Matt Priddis was also celebrating after his wife Ashleigh gave birth to their first child, daughter Nala.

Naitanui was among friends to visit the couple this week, posting a photo of the happy dad with his little daughter.

Also back in WA, Eagles forward Josh Kennedy was kept busy at the Josh Kennedy's Small Moves removal business he runs with a friend.

Fremantle Dockers players made the most of the off-season with captain Matthew Pavlich going overseas with his wife Lauren while Hayden Ballantyne, Michael Barlow and Zac Clarke were among players who went on a team holiday to Hong Kong.